5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade

Lt. Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., Commander, U.S. Air Forces Central Command, Southwest Asia visits with Marines from the Red Dragons of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 during the 2015 Dubai Airshow, Dubai World Central, United Arab Emirates. The Marines showcased some of the unit's aviation capabilities to thousands of foreign military personnel and distinguished visitors at the air show from November 8 - 12. The unit is currently deployed as part of the Aviation Command Element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1.

Capt. John Campbell, a pilot and a weapons and tactics instructor with the Red Dragons of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, Aviation Combat Element of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1., conducts a media interview during 2015 Dubai Air Show, Dubai World Central, United Arab Emirates from November 8 - 12.

1st. Lt. Manuel Torres, a pilot with with the Red Dragons of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268, Aviation Combat Element, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Central Command 16.1 reviews some of the unit's aviation capabilities to one of the thousands of visitors at the 2015 Dubai Air Show, Dubai World Central, United Arab Emirates from November 8 - 12.

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Clifford W. Wiggins, sergeant major, second from right, and Maj. Gen. Carl E. Mundy III, commanding general, far right, both with the 5TH Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB) unfurl the unit colors during the activation ceremony of the 5th MEB on Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Oct. 15, 2015. Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward was re-designated as the 5TH MEB to more accurately reflect Marine Corps organizational doctrine, and will continue to provide a forward-deployed headquarters in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean Searfus 5TH MEB COMCAM / Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Clifford Wiggins, sergeant major, Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward, speaks at the unit's relief and appointment ceremony aboard Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, June 7, 2015. Wiggins replaced Sgt. Maj. Mario Marquez as sergeant major of the unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean Searfus CE MARFOR CENTCOM FWD COMCAM/Released)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Mario Marquez, sergeant major, is relieved by Maj. Gen. Carl Mundy III, commanding general, both with Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward at a relief and appointment ceremony aboard Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, June 7, 2015. Sgt. Maj. Clifford Wiggins replaced Marquez as sergeant major of the unit. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Sean Searfus CE MARFOR CENTCOM FWD COMCAM/Released)

U.S. Marine Cpl. Patrick J. Whyte, a anti-tank missileman with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Task Force Al Asad, fires a FGM-148 Javelin missile at simulated enemy armored targets during a combined-arms training exercise at Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, April 3, 2015. Elements from Golf and Weapons Companies combined their skills and capabilities to suppress and destroy their objective. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Cpl. Carson Gramley/Released)

Service members of the United States Marines Corps and Navy, gather at a regional Women’s History Symposium to listen to the achievements of Women throughout the history of the military. Special guest speakers from around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility talk about achievements and struggles through their military careers at Naval Support Activity Bahrain on March 25, 2015. Narration is by U.S. Marine Maj. Khalilah Thomas. Also available in high definition. (U.S. Marine Motion Imagery by Cpl. Theodore Bergan, CE MARCENT FWD / Unclassified)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, prepare to locate a simulated down pilot after exiting an MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel drill in the Central Command area of operation, March 8, 2015. TRAP missions are conducted by teams of Marines and sailors to rescue or extract downed personnel or aircraft in the event of an in-flight emergency during combat operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tony Simmons/Released)

A Marine with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, fires an AT4 antitank rocket launcher in the Central Command area of operations, March 23, 2015. The 2/7 Marines participated in a range that tests their ability to conduct an integrated combined arms assault against a simulated enemy position. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Will Perkins/Released)

U.S. Navy Seaman Jeremy Hernandez, a corpsman with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, supervises a group of Jordanian soldiers as they carry a simulated casualty on a stretcher in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, Feb. 8, 2015. U.S. Marines and sailors guided Jordanian soldiers through four stations where they learned and practiced various combat life saver skills. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carson A. Gramley/Released)

U.S. Marines with Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, board an MV-22B Osprey after recovering a simulated downed pilot during a Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel exercise in the Central Command area of operation, March 8, 2015. TRAP missions are conducted by teams of Marines and sailors to rescue or extract downed personnel or aircraft in the event of an in-flight emergency.

A U.S. Marine with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 352, Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command, directs a KC-130J Hercules aircraft to the runway before takeoff in the Central Command area of operations, Feb. 23, 2015. The Marines, sailors and aircraft with VMGR 352 support SPMAGTF – CR – CC by transporting supplies, equipment and personnel to various locations in the region.

U.S. Marines and coalition forces with Task Force Al Asad teach Iraqi soldiers Military Operations on Urban Terrain techniques aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 14-16, 2015. The three-day training period utilized different MOUT facilities in order to teach Iraqi soldiers basic room clearing techniques, how to move across linear danger areas as a squad, and the proper way to maneuver through a building in fire teams. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tony Simmons/RELEASED)

An Iraqi squad leader assigns a soldier his area of responsibility during defense training aboard Al Asad Air Base, Iraq, Feb. 8, 2015. The training gave the soldiers a greater understanding of basic ambush and defense maneuvers.

AQABA, Jordan - June 5, 2014, Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/6, Charlie Company, 2nd Platoon, are transported inside an Assault Amphibious Vehicle for the Combined Armed Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) demonstration in support of Exercise Eager Lion 2014, June 5, at Jebel Petra, Jordan. Eager Lion is a recurring, multinational exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability between partner nations and enhance regional security and stability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

AQABA, Jordan - (May 28, 2014) Mussa Hijazin, exercise lead translator, translates for Brig. Gen. Gregg Olson, commanding general, Command Element Marine Corps Forces Central Command Forward, and Jordanian Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Ali Al-Domi, commanding general, 99th Armoured, about the live-fire ranges to be conducted during Eager Lion 2014, at a base near Petra, Jordan, May 28. Eager Lion is a recurring, multinational exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability between partner nations and enhance regional security and stability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Not Released)

AQABA, Jordan - Major Darren Kaehre, Headquarters Operations Commander with the Australian Army, looks inside a Humvee during a tour of a Maritime Prepositioning Ship, the USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez, May 28, 2014, at the Port of Aqaba, Jordan. Approximately 30 generals from five different continents participated in the event, which demonstrated Maritime Prepositioning Force capabilities. The tour was a part of Exercise Eager Lion 2014, which is a recurring, multi-national exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships and enhance regional security and stability by responding to modern-day security scenarios. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Laura Gauna/Released)

Major Jerry Willingham, current operations officer, Command Element, Marine Forces Central Command Forward, briefs members of Exercise Eager Lion 2014, Coalition Forces Land Component Staff on June 1, 2014. Eager Lion is a recurring, multinational exercise designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships, increase interoperability between partner nations and enhance regional security and stability. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Master Sgt. William Price/Released)

Brig. Gen. Khalil El Jomayyel shakes Sgt. Ahmed Khalil's hand in appreciation for his efforts during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 11, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles and the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Sgt. Maj. Mario Marquez speaks with Brig. Gen. Khalil El Jomayyel about classes conducted during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 11, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles and the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Sgt. Ahmed Khalil translates for Sgt. James Hall during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 11, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles and the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Sgt. Ahmed Khalil is thrown to the ground by Staff Sgt. William Mullen to demonstrate a technique from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 13, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles and the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Staff Sgt. William Mullen dodges a strike from Pvt. Hassain Haj Hassan of the 4th Intervention Regiment as part of a Marine Corps Martial Arts Program demonstration given during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 13, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles and the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Sgt. Ahmed Khalil conducts a class on the History of the Non-Commissioned Officer during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 10, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles and the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Staff Sgt. William Mullen prepares to disarm Sgt. James Hall to demonstrate a technique from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 13, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles and the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Sgt. Ahmed Khalil translates for soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment and Sgt. Maj. Mario Marquez during an enlisted leadership seminar hosted by the 4th Intervention Regiment in Beirut, Lebanon on March 10, 2014., Lebanon on March 11, 2014. During the seminar, Marines from Command Element Marine Forces Central Command Forward and soldiers from the 4th Intervention Regiment discussed leadership principles the role of Non-Commissioned Officers in military units. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by; Sgt James A. Hall, CE MARFOR CENTCOM (FWD) Combat Camera/Released)

Lieutenant Gen. Robert Neller and Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Fineran, commander and sergeant major of U.S. Marine Corps Central Command, affix the Meritorious Unit Commendation streamer to the MARCENT Battle Colors during an awards ceremony at the base theatre aboard MacDill Air Force Base, May 6. MARCENT received the unit award from the Commandant of the Marine Corps for exceptionally meritorious service during assigned missions from January 2010 to December 2011 in support of national security objectives in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Notable guests at the ceremony were Gen. John Paxton, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Brig. Gen. John Jansen, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources.